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Belgium’s Tim Merleer came out on top in a chaotic sprint finish to claim his third win of this year’s Tour de France by finishing 12th on stage.
Merle came from behind to beat compatriot Jasper Philipsen and Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria managed to avoid a late crash after hitting the deck, which took down several other riders. With Stage 11 winner Søren Warenskjold.
Philipsen, who finished third, looked in a good position going into the final few kilometers on a day where many teams tried to attack without being able to make a pole.
Merlia’s stage win was followed by seven more stage wins eight Taking his tally to six earlier this year.
“Today I really focused on the guys who boxed yesterday,” Merlier said. “I found some space and I launched.”
He added that the win was “special” because his wife and young son were watching, adding that he is “still young but he will probably remember it”.
Thursday’s route from Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalons-sur-Saône proved unpredictable and often frantic, when heavy rain and shifting winds disrupted plans mid-race.
Tadez Pogacar is comfortably ahead in contention for the yellow jersey, still 3min 36sec ahead of Jonas Wingegaard.
The green jersey remains an unlikely target for Merlier as he sits fourth in the rankings. Mads Pedersen’s lead has shrunk, but he is still 40 points ahead of Eritrean Biniam Girmay.
